January 3, 2004

Women’s Basketball Wins 7^th Straight

Steffen Leads the Way

            Kearney, NE – West Point senior Heather Steffen had a game high 23 points, two shy of her career high, to lead the Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball team to an easy 89-53 win over New Mexico Highlands Saturday night at the Health & Sports Center.

            The Lopers (9-2, 3-0 RMAC) extend its win streak to seven games while the Cowgirls fall to 2-7 (0-3 RMAC) on the year.

            UNK, which didn’t trail all night, took a 12-2 lead early in the game after a Steffen three pointer. A three by sophomore Nicole Gruntorad a few minutes later made the score 18-8 and Highlands never got the Loper lead under double figures the rest of the way.

            Steffen made 8 of 12 shots on the night, including a 4 of 6 effort from the three point line. Gruntorad, a night after scoring 20 points, had 11 points off the bench while Fairfield junior Taryn Ninemire made three triples to finish with 13 points.

            The Lopers sunk 10 three pointers on the night and set a new school record for three point attempts (30) in a game. The previous mark was 28, done several times before.  

            Also for the Lopers, Iowa senior Allison Kruger had 11 points, six rebounds and three steals with Iowa sophomore center Kalee Modlin (eight points, 10 rebounds, six steals) coming close to a triple double. Finally, North Platte sophomore Anne Manning had 10 points and five boards off the bench.

            UNK held Highlands to 32 percent shooting in the first half and a 36 perfect mark for the game. The Lopers also forced 24 turnovers and out rebounded the Cowgirls 44-31, including a 18-17 edge on the offensive glass.

            Post player Tara Podpah led Highlands with 21 points on 7 of 11 shooting.